The Greene County Board of Supervisors approved two 28E agreements for payments from the Opioid Settlement fund towards programs and initiatives for opioid disorder treatment and prevention. The State of Iowa currently has over $56 million from a lawsuit settlement against pharmaceutical companies that made and distributed painkillers and narcotics helping to cause the opioid crisis. Iowa is expected to receive up to $345 million dollars by Fiscal Year (FY) 2039 to distribute among the state to promote treatment and prevention. Midwest Wellness and Recovery, Inc. (Midwest Wellness) located in Jefferson offers a faith-based treatment services for substance-use disorders in outpatient and residential programs. Through an application process and a recommendation from the Opioid Settlement Funds Allocation Committee, the supervisors have approved $16,300 to Midwest Wellness to expand treatment and recover services in Greene County. The committee has also recommended the Greene County Peace Officers Association to receive $34,744 for educational programs for youth and school-aged children. The funds will be used to purchase eight computers for support of the education programs that discourage or prevent misuse of opioids. For further questions regarding the Greene County Opioid Settlement Fund, contact County Attorney, Thomas Laehn at 515-386-5677.
